Siemens Hearing conducts training

Local audiologist Dr. Zagarella attends seminar

March 4, 2013

MARTINSBURG - Siemens Hearing, the oldest manufacturer of hearing aids in the world, hosted a training seminar at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, Va., on Feb. 22 and 23. Dr. Michael Zagarella, Martinsburg audiologist, attended the two-day training to learn about the new Micon technology platform. Most new digital hearing aids have several programs available for different situations. The goal of the Micon platform is to eliminate the need for the hearing aid wearer to make adjustments to the instrument for different listening environments. Using 18 million transistors, the circuitry is capable of generating 250 different instructions per second, adjusting to the sound environment far faster than any changes that could be made by the wearer. The result is a much more pleasing and natural sound for the hearing aid user. In addition, some models can learn the wearer's preferences and adjust the settings in the hearing aid according to their likes without having to return to the fitter for reprogramming.

Zagarella reported that the level of sophistication that is currently available in this new generation of Siemens hearing aids is almost too good to be true. "When I started fitting hearing aids, in the early 1970s, the instrument of choice was a Zenith body worn hearing aid with a wire that went to a button receiver in the ear," said Zagarella. "Now, there is a computer chip inside a device 1/10th the size of that Zenith that has more power than the computers that landed men on the moon. That is pretty incredible."

In addition to the improved sophistication in hearing enhancement, these new devices can connect with a cellphone a TV or an MP3 player. Plus there are Bluetooth devices that have microphones that can significantly improve communication in the car or a meeting, much like a personal FM system - except that they are appreciably less expensive. They also have, built into the circuitry, noise generators for patients with tinnitus and frequency compression capability for patients with a limited range of frequencies that they can hear. According to Zagarella, these used to be available only in special instruments specifically for those problems. Now they can be turned on or off in the instrument right in the office, if the patient develops any of these issues.